Rivian IP Holdings, LLC

Brian Gase

William Kirk Robinson

Paul M Hoste

Luke James Mack

Mason Verbridge

Matthew Joseph Coburn

Mohamad Jeffery Hammoud

Robert J Scaringe

Jared Odle

Kyle Mulligan

Eric Scott Griffith

Larry Parker

Chayan Mishra

Patrick Hunt

Dwight S Brooks

Sheetanshu Tyagi

Chass Bakker

Eric Griffith

Electric vehicles indicate charge levels in different ways. A lighting control module is communicatively is configured to illuminate an exterior light of an electric vehicle to indicate a charge status of a battery for the electric vehicle. The charge status is indicated based on varying an intensity of the exterior light, based on illuminating a subset of the exterior lights, and/or based on an animation. The display of the charge indicator varies based on a location of the vehicle, the presence of a person in proximity to the vehicle, and/or a charger connected to the vehicle.

Exterior light and charge indicator

A dual-guide-rail sliding door system for an automotive vehicle includes a sliding door movably connected to a body of the vehicle; a front rail connected to the body of the vehicle; a rear rail connected to the body of the vehicle rearward of the front rail; a door rail connected to the sliding door; a front arm assembly connected to the sliding door and movably connected to the front rail; and a rear arm assembly movably connected to the rear rail and movably connected to the door rail. A lateral distance travelled by the sliding door along the body of the vehicle from an open position to a closed position is greater than a length of the rear rail.

Automotive vehicle sliding side door with dual guide rail

An automotive vehicle with a storage compartment has a cabin, a set of rear wheels located behind the cabin, a cargo space, and a closable integrated storage compartment located adjacent to the cabin, rearward of a rear-most seat of the automotive vehicle, and forward of the set of rear wheels. At least a portion of the storage compartment is positioned forward of a forward wall of the cargo space. The storage compartment has at least one sidewall enclosing an interior portion of the storage compartment and extending from a first side panel at a first side of the automotive vehicle toward a second side of the automotive vehicle, a first opening to the storage compartment at the first side of the automotive vehicle, and a first door at the first opening. The first door has a first step member with a horizontal step surface when open.

Automotive vehicle through body storage with combination door and step

Vehicle tailgate assembly that includes a sill flap and tailgate, where the sill flap has rollers that contact the tailgate while the sill flap and tailgate are opened or closed. The sill flap thus maintains rolling contact with the tailgate during opening and closing operations. In embodiments of the disclosure, the tailgate opens to leave a gap between the edge of the vehicle bed and the edge of the tailgate, and the sill flap is pivoted into this gap. While being pivoted into this open position, the sill flap rollers rotatably contact the tailgate, so that the sill flap maintains rolling contact with the tailgate rather than frictional contact therewith. This prevents damage to the sill flap and tailgate when opened and closed.

Vehicle sill flap

Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative telescoping tailgate systems for an automotive vehicle and illustrative automotive vehicles with a telescoping tailgate system for carrying cargo or passengers. In an illustrative embodiment, a telescoping tailgate system for an automotive vehicle includes: a primary tailgate configured to be movably attached to a body of an automotive vehicle, the primary tailgate defining an opening therethrough; a secondary tailgate movably attached to the primary tailgate; and a telescoping mechanism configured to move the secondary tailgate between a retracted position and an extended position, the secondary tailgate being configured to close the opening in the primary tailgate when the secondary tailgate is in an extended position.

Automotive vehicle with telescoping tailgate

Vehicle tailgate assembly

Various disclosed embodiments include structures and methods for improving assembly of vehicle doors. In an illustrative embodiment a vehicle door includes a first door inner structure having an angled wedge bearing surface and configured to receive a first removable attachment mechanism and a second door inner structure configured to receive a second removable attachment mechanism. The door includes a door outer structure having an outer panel coupled to an attachment structure, the attachment structure having an angled wedge bearing surface and having a bearing surface, the bearing surface configured to receive the second removable attachment mechanism, the second bearing surface being configured to abut an inner surface of the second door inner structure. The door includes an adjustment wedge which allows for positioning of the door panel relative to the body side of the vehicle.

Vehicle panel removal system and method

A swing and drop tailgate is configured to undergo two distinct motions, each with advantages depending on circumstances. The swing and drop tailgate can undergo a rotation motion about a hinge, as well as a swing down motion via a linkage. The swing down motion allows closer access to the bed, and extends less far from the rear of the vehicle as compared to the drop motion. The motions may be manually controlled, or actuator controlled. One or more latches may constrain motion, or prevent, of the tailgate. A tailgate assembly may include a post assembly and a tailgate, that may move together as a rigid body when dropping, or move relative to one another when swinging.

Growing community of inventors

Ypsilanti, MI, United States of America

Brian Gase